So what should you buy? Frozen or fresh varieties work equally well, says Youkilis, but if you’re buying frozen, look for packages labeled “flash-frozen,” which will taste fresher once thawed. Simply place those little guys in a bowl of cold water to defrost, then remove that little dark vein before cooking—digging in with a little paring knife should do the trick.

Oh, and one last piece of good news: Unlike other types of fish or seafood, shellfish has little-to-no mercury, meaning it can be consumed up to three times a week. Ready to get started? Here are six easy ways to work shrimp into your diet.

1. Shrimp cocktail

Cold shrimp with cocktail sauce is more than a party hors d’oeuvre—it also makes for a quick and easy protein-packed snack. Take the easy route and use frozen shrimp for cocktails. To prepare, peel the shell off from the inside curve, leaving the tail intact. Serve with a simple cocktail sauce, made with 1 cup chili sauce (like Heinz), ½ cup prepared horseradish, 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, and a little ground black pepper.

Sam Kaplan

2. Shrimp salad

Want a meal that doesn’t even require you to turn on the oven? Try a hearty shrimp salad. Here's one we love: Start by cooking 4oz of bacon in a large pan, then add deveined shrimp. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5 more minutes, until shrimp is opaque. Transfer bacon and shrimp to a serving bowl, and add a 15-oz can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans (they’ll pack even more protein into your meal). Mix all ingredients together, then serve over fresh spinach or arugula, topped with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

4. Old bay shrimp

For an impressive but safe shrimp marinade—you really can’t mess this one up—Youkilis recommends olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, red pepper flakes, and a ton of parsley or cilantro. Just rub it on your shrimp before grilling. (FYI: This is one recipe where it’s OK to be as heavy-handed with the ingredients as you want.) Make it a meal by adding a nutrient-packed side, like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.

5. Shrimp burrito

Put Chipotle to shame and craft your own delicious burrito using shrimp, which proves just as tasty as beef or chicken—when done right. Just douse those buggers with lemon or lime juice, and wrap 'em up in a whole-wheat tortilla with peppers, onions, lettuce, salsa, tomatoes, and corn. And if you’re really feeling ambitious, you can whip up some homemade guac as a topper, too.

Sam Kaplan

6. Roasted shrimp pasta

For how gourmet it tastes, roasting shrimp is a surprisingly simple cooking method. It caramelizes the shrimp, intensifying their flavors and bringing out a natural sweetness. Impress your girlfriend by tossing shrimp in an olive oil and salt mixture, putting them in the oven at 400° for six minutes, and then serving over whole-wheat pasta. That’s it. You’re done. (But if you want to go all out, add roasted peppers or tomatoes to the mix as well.)